Epidemiology of Yersiniae in Barcelona, Spain

Between April 1980 to December 1984 we undertook a study on the epidemiology of pathogenic Yersinia. Stool specimens from 5.199 patients with acute gastroenteritis were studied and Y. enterocolitica biotype 4 serotype 3 was isolated in 42 cases (0.8%). The serological response was studied in 21 of these patients. Faecal specimens from 784 non-laboratory animals were also studied. The only pathogenic isolates from these animals were seven strains of Y. enterocolitica biotype 4 serotype 3 from six pigs and one dog and one strain of Y. pseudotuberculosis from a pig. The search of pathogenic Yersinia in 424 samples form row foods allowed the isolation of eight strains of Y. enterocolitica serotype 3 and one strain of Y. pseudotuberculosis from pig's tongue.